Strawberry plant named ‘PS-5298’

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named ‘PS-5298’. This new strawberry plant named ‘PS-5298’ is primarily adapted to the growing conditions of the central coast of California, and is primarily characterized by its large plant size; medium to large fruit size; medium to red fruit color; spreading to reflexed calyx segments; medium to strong skin firmness; good fruit production with good flavor, medium green foliage with glossy texture and medium to strong interveinal blistering; and medium to large foliage, concave to flat in shape.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Fragaria ananassa.

Variety denomination: ‘PS-5298’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct strawberry variety designated as ‘PS-5298’. This new variety is a result of a controlled cross made by the inventors, Stephen M. Ackerman, Steven D. Nelson, and Michael D. Nelson, in 1997 between strawberry variety ‘PS-592’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,903) and strawberry variety designated ‘Aromas’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,451). It is unknown as to which parent variety is the seed parent and which parent variety is the pollen parent. The variety is botanically known as Fragaria ananassa.

The seedling resulting from the aforementioned cross was asexually propagated by stolons in a nursery located in Siskiyou County, Calif., and was subsequently selected by the inventors from a controlled breeding plot in Salinas, Calif., in 1999. After its selection, the new variety was further asexually propagated by stolons in both Siskiyou County, Calif. and San Joaquin County, Calif. The new variety was extensively tested over the next several years in fruiting fields of Salinas, Calif. This propagation has demonstrated that the combination of traits disclosed herein as characterizing the new variety are fixed and remain true to type through successive generations of asexual reproduction.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

‘PS-5298’ is primarily adapted to the climate and growing conditions of the central coast of California. This region provides the necessary winter temperatures required for it to produce a strong vigorous plant and to remain in fruit production from April through November. The nearby Pacific Ocean provides the needed humidity and moderate temperatures to maintain fruit quality during the spring and summer production months.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be unique characteristics of ‘PS-5298’, which in combination distinguish this strawberry plant as a new and distinct variety:

-   -   1. Large plant size;     -   2. Medium to large fruit size;     -   3. Medium to red fruit color;     -   4. Spreading to reflexed calyx segments;     -   5. Medium to strong skin firmness;     -   6. Good fruit production with good flavor;     -   7. Medium green foliage with glossy texture and medium to strong         interveinal blistering; and     -   8. Medium to large foliage, concave to flat in shape.

The strawberry varieties that are believed to be most closely related to the new strawberry variety ‘PS-5298’ are the parental strawberry variety ‘PS-592’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,903) and the strawberry variety ‘PS-1150’ (patented, U.S. Pat. No. 10,780).

In comparison to the similar strawberry varieties ‘PS-592’ and ‘PS-1150’, the new strawberry variety ‘PS-5298’ differs by the following combination of characteristics as described in Table 1:

TABLE 1 ‘PS-592’ ‘PS-1150’ (U.S. Plant (U.S. Plant Pat. No. Pat. No. Characteristic ‘PS-5298’ 9,903) 10,780) 1. Color of mature fruit Red Red to red Red orange 2. Average fruit weight 23.5 23.1 17.6 (gm) 3. Marketable yield 1,362 1,392 1,010 (gm/plt) 4. Attitude of calyx Spreading Spreading to Spreading to to reflexed reflexed collapsing 5. Firmness of skin Medium Medium Strong to strong 6. Time of first harvest Early Early Late 7. Plant size Large Large Medium 8. Foliage color (upper Medium Medium green Medium green side) green 9. Interveinal leaf Medium Medium to Weak to blistering to strong strong medium 10. Foliage glossiness Medium Strong Weak to strong 11. Foliage size Medium Large Small to large 12. Fruiting truss Ranges from Ranges from Above position relative to level with to level with to foliage beneath beneath

In comparison to the parental strawberry variety ‘Aromas’, the new strawberry variety ‘PS-5298’ differs by the following combination of characteristics:

-   -   1. ‘PS-5298’ is partially remontant while ‘Aromas’ is         day-neutral;     -   2. the shape of the foliage in cross section for ‘PS-5298’ is         slightly concave to flat while ‘Aromas’ is mostly flat to         convex;     -   3. the insertion of the achenes for ‘PS-5298’ is level with the         surface of the fruit while ‘Aromas’ is below the surface of the         fruit; and     -   4. the firmness of the fruit flesh for ‘PS-5298’ ranges from         medium to firm while ‘Aromas’ is very firm.

For identification a series of AFLP molecular markers have been determined for this new variety.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying color photographs illustrate the overall appearance of typical specimens of the new strawberry variety ‘PS-5298’, at various stages of development as true as it is reasonably possible with color reproductions of this type. Color in the photographs may differ slightly from the color value cited in the botanical description which accurately describe the color of ‘PS-5298’. The depicted plant and plant parts of the new strawberry variety ‘PS-5298’ were taken in Salinas, Calif., and are approximately 8 to 9 months old.

FIG. 1 shows typical fruiting field characteristics taken in the month of June, 2006;

FIG. 2. shows a close-up view of typical leaf structure taken in the month of June, 2006;

FIG. 3 shows typical mature and immature field fruit taken in the month of June, 2006; and

FIG. 4 shows a close-up view of fruit taken in the month of July, 2006.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

‘PS-5298’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The characteristics of the new variety may vary in detail, depending upon variations in environmental factors, including weather (temperature, humidity and light intensity), day length, soil type and location.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the following description of the new variety ‘PS-5298’, unless otherwise noted, is based on observations taken during the 2006 growing season in Salinas, Calif. These measurements and ratings were taken from plants of ‘PS-5298’ dug from a high-elevation nursery located in Siskiyou County, Calif., during the middle of October 2005 and planted approximately 3 weeks later in Salinas, Calif. The approximate age of the observed plants is 7 to 10 months. Yield observations and fruit quality characteristics are averaged from four years of data collected from the 2003 through 2006 growing seasons. Flower measurements and characteristics are from secondary flowers unless otherwise noted. Fruit characteristics and measurements are from secondary fruit unless otherwise noted.

Color terminology where noted follows the Munsell Book of Colors, Munsell Color, Baltimore, Md. (1976).

The following Tables 2-8 describe fruit, plant, stolon, foliage, fruiting truss, flower and pest/disease characteristics of the new strawberry ‘PS-5298’ in comparison to the similar strawberry varieties ‘PS-592’ and ‘PS-1150’.

TABLE 2 FRUIT CHARACTERISTICS ‘PS-592’ ‘PS-1150’ (U.S. Plant (U.S. Plant Pat. No. Pat. No. Characteristic ‘PS-5298’ 9,903) 10,780) Color of mature fruit 7.5R 3/10 to 7.5R 3/12 to 7.5R 4/10 to 4/10 4/12 3/8 Red Red to orange Red red Color of internal flesh 7.5R 4/10 to 7.5R 5/10 to 7.5R 4/10 to 4/12 4/10 4/12 Medium red Light red Medium red Length (cm) 4.9 4.8 4.2 Width (cm) 4.3 4.3 3.7 Ratio length/width 1.15 1.13 1.14 Slightly Slightly longer Slightly longer longer than than broad than broad broad Calyx diameter (cm) 5.0 5.0 4.2 Average weight (gm) 23.5 23.1 17.6 Size Medium to Medium to Small large large Achene color 5Y 6/8 to 5Y 6/8 to 7.5R 5Y 6/8 to 7.5R 7.5R 3/8 3/8 3/8 Achenes per berry 285 304 293 Achene weight (mg) 0.64 0.61 0.56 Marketable yield (gm/plt) 1,362 1,392 1,010 Predominant shape Conical Conical Conical Difference in shapes Moderate Moderate Slight between primary and secondary fruit Band without achenes Absent or Absent or Absent or very narrow very narrow very narrow Unevenness of surface Weak Weak Absent or very weak Evenness of color Slightly Slightly uneven Even uneven to to even even Glossiness Medium to Medium to Strong strong strong Insertion of achenes Level with Level with Level with surface surface surface Insertion of calyx Ranges from Ranges from Ranges from level with to level with to level with to above fruit above fruit above fruit Attitude of the calyx Spreading to Spreading to Spreading to reflexed reflexed collapsing Size of calyx in relation Slightly Slightly larger Slightly larger to fruit diameter larger Adherence of calyx Strong Strong Strong Firmness of skin Medium to Medium Strong strong Firmness of flesh Medium to Medium Medium to firm firm Distribution of red color Marginal and Marginal and Marginal and of the flesh central central central Hollow center expression Moderate Moderate to Moderate to strong strong Flavor Good Very good Fair Soluble solids (% brix) 8.0 8.0 7.4 Time of first flowering Early Early Late Time of first harvesting Early Early Late Harvest period Late March Late March to Mid April to to early early December early December December Type of bearing Partially Partially Partially remontant remontant remontant

TABLE 3 PLANT CHARACTERISTICS ‘PS-592’ ‘PS-1150’ (U.S. Plant (U.S. Plant Pat. No. Pat. No. Characteristic ‘PS-5298’ 9,903) 10,780) Height (cm) 30.8 31.0 30.0 Spread (cm) 36.8 35.1 28.8 Crowns/plant 5.3 5.0 5.0 Size Large Large Medium Habit Globose Globose Globose Density Medium Medium to open Medium Vigor Strong Strong Medium

TABLE 4 STOLON CHARACTERISTICS ‘PS-592’ ‘PS-1150’ (U.S. Plant (U.S. Plant Pat. No. Pat. No. Characteristic ‘PS-5298’ 9,903) 10,780) Average number per 1.1 1.2 0.8 plant fruiting field Few to Few to medium Few medium Anthocyanin coloration 7.5R 5/6 to 7.5R 5/6 to 5/4 7.5R 4/6 to 5/6 6/6 Anthocyanin intensity Weak Medium Medium to strong Diameter at bract (mm) 4.7 4.4 4.2 Thick Thick Medium Pubescence Medium to Medium Medium to strong strong

TABLE 5 FOLIAGE CHARACTERISTICS ‘PS-592’ ‘PS-1150’ (U.S. Plant (U.S. Plant Pat. No. Pat. No. Characteristic ‘PS-5298’ 9,903) 10,780) Foliage: Color of upper 7.5GY 4/4 to 3/4 7.5GY 4/4 7.5GY 4/4 surface Medium Medium green to 3/4 green Medium green Color of under side 5GY 5/4 to 6/4 5GY 5/4 to 6/4 5GY 5/4 to 6/4 Light grey green Light grey Light grey green green Petiole length (cm) 23.1 21.1 19.0 Petiole diameter 3.8 4.7 3.1 (mm) Petiolule length 14.0 15.7 9.3 (mm) Stipule length (mm) 20.7 20.8 14.5 Stipule width (mm) 8.3 8.5 8.4 Size bract leaflets Small Small to Small medium Shape in cross Slightly concave Slightly Slightly section to flat concave concave to slightly convex Interveinal blistering Medium to strong Medium Weak to to strong medium Glossiness Medium to strong Strong Weak Number of leaflets 3 3 3 to 4 Petiole pubescence Moderate Moderate to Moderate to to sparse sparse sparse Petiole attitude Strongly outward Strongly Strongly of hairs outward outward Stipule anthocyanin Weak Medium Absent or very coloration weak Stipule anthocyanin 10RP 4/10 to 4/12 10RP 4/8 10RP 5/6 to 5/8 color Red purple to 4/10 Red purple Red purple Petiole color 5GY 7/6 to 7/8 5GY 7/6 to 7/8 5GY 7/6 to 7/8 Medium yellow Medium yellow Medium yellow green green green Petiolule color 5GY 7/6 to 7/8 5GY 7/6 to 7/8 5GY 7/6 to 7/8 Light to medium Light to Light to green medium green medium green Stipule color 5GY 5/6 to 6/6 5GY 5/6 to 6/6 5GY 7/6 to 7/8 Light to medium Light to Light to green medium green medium green Bracht leaves color 7.5GY 4/4 to 3/4 7.5GY 4/4 7.5GY 4/4 to 3/4 to 3/4 Medium green Medium green Medium green Terminal Leaflet: Length (cm) 9.3 9.5 7.2 Width (cm) 7.6 8.0 6.4 Length/width ratio 1.22 1.19 1.13 Much longer than Much longer Longer than broad than broad broad Serrations/leaf 20.4 20.7 19.3 Size Medium to large Large Small Shape of base Acute Acute Obtuse Shape of teeth Obtuse Obtuse Obtuse

TABLE 6 FRUITING TRUSS CHARACTERISTICS ‘PS-592’ ‘PS-1150’ (U.S. Plant (U.S. Plant Pat. No. Pat. No. Characteristic ‘PS-5298’ 9,903) 10,780) Length (cm) 37.4 37.3 38.1 Position relative Ranges from Ranges from level Above the to foliage level with to with to beneath foliage beneath the the foliage foliage Pubescence Medium Medium Medium Anthocyanin Light Light Moderate intensity Anthocyanin color 10RP 4/10 10RP 4/10 to 5/10 10RP 4/8 to 4/10 to 5/10 Red purple Red purple Red purple Attitude at first pick Prostrate Prostrate Prostrate

TABLE 7 FLOWER CHARACTERISTICS ‘PS-592’ ‘PS-1150’ (U.S. Plant (U.S. Plant Pat. No. Pat. No. Characteristic ‘PS-5298’ 9,903) 10,780) Petal color N9.5/90.0%R N9.5/90.0%R to N9.5/90.0%R to to N9.25/84.2%R N9.25/84.2%R N9.25/84.2%R White White White Corolla diameter 32.3 30.6 30.5 (mm) Large Medium Medium Calyx diameter 39.9 38.8 34.0 (mm) Petal length (mm) 12.4 12.1 12.5 Petal width (mm) 12.6 11.5 10.8 Petal length/width 0.98 1.05 1.15 ratio Petals/flower 5.9 6.0 6.2 Sepal length 16.0 15.7 13.1 (mm) Sepal width (mm) 6.2 6.2 5.4 Sepal 2.57 2.54 2.42 length/width ratio Sepals/flower 11.8 11.9 12.4 Sepals color 5GY 4/6 5GY 4/6 to 5/6 5GY 4/6 to 5/6 to 5/6 Medium green Medium green Medium green Size of calyx Larger Larger Larger relative to corolla Size of inner Ranges from Ranges from Ranges from calyx relative same size to same size to same size to to outer calyx smaller smaller smaller Relative position Overlapping Overlapping Overlapping of petals

TABLE 8 PEST AND DISEASE REACTIONS ‘PS-592’ ‘PS-1150’ (U.S. Plant (U.S. Plant Pat. No. Pat. No. Characteristic ‘PS-5298’ 9,903) 10,780) Two spotted spider mite Moderately Moderately Moderately susceptible susceptible susceptible Lygus bug Susceptible Susceptible Susceptible Flower thrips Moderately Moderately Moderately susceptible susceptible susceptible Powdery mildew Moderately Moderately Moderately susceptible susceptible susceptible Botrytis fruit rot Moderately Moderately Moderately Susceptible susceptible susceptible Angular leaf spot Moderately Moderately Moderately susceptible susceptible susceptible Virus complex Unknown Unknown Unknown 

1. A new and distinct strawberry plant named ‘PS-5298’, as herein described and illustrated by the characteristics set forth above. 